Predetermining system, including devices providing continuous operation without homing or resetting



P 15, 1953 J BERGER 2,652,197

PREDETERMINING SYSTEM], INCLUDING DEVICES PROVIDING CONTINUOUS OPERATIONWITHOUT HOMING OR RESETTING Filed Jan. 28, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WM IFIG. I t

l9 4 L55 Li 29 -|e 43 32 Li I WW 2e I c v I50 INVENTOR W N33 H Jac uesBerger A HE 5 q ept. 15, 1953 J. BERGER 2,652,197

PREDETERMINING SYSTEM, INCLUDING DEVICES PROVIDING CONTINUOUS OPERATIONWITHOUT HOMING OR RESETTING Filed Jan. 28, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

Inventor Jacques Berger Sept. 15, 1953 J. BERGER 2,652,197

PREDETERMINING SYSTEM, INCLUDING DEVICES PROVIDING commuous OPERATIONWITHOUT HOMING OR RESETTING Filed Jan. 28, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet s 28mmvm'g.

.FIG. 3 I Jacques'Berg'er.

' Atty. I

Sept; 15, 1953 J. BERGER 2,652,197

PREDETERMINING SYSTEM, INCLUDING DEVICES PROVIDING CONTINUOUS OPERATIONWITHOUT HOMING OR RESETTING Filed Jan. 28, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Jacques Berger BY provided and controls may be provided Patented Sept.15, 1953 PREDETERMINING SYSTEM, INCLUDING DEVICES raovmmo CONTINUOUS 0P-ERATION WITHOUT HOMING on RE- SETTING Jacques Berger, Chicago, 111.,assignor to Welding Research, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation ofIllinois Application January 28, 19 19, Serial No. 73,299

22 Claims.

This invention relates to a pace making circuit and to various timing,counting and control systems based on the pace making circuit.

There are many applications in which it is desired to control equipmentat a regular interval or pace. For example, such systems are used inpredetermined counters in which it is desired to count a particularnumber of objects and then after operating a control, proceed withcounting the next number. Such a system could be used in packing orbottling objects so that after a predetermined number of objects areplaced in a container the control places the next container in positionand the required number are supplied thereto. Pace making -circuits mayalso be used in timing mechanisms in which it is desired to operatecontrols after various time intervals which are continuously repeated.By providing regularly spaced intervals and causing controls to operateafter a predetermined number of intervals, the 'efiect is to provideoperations at predetermined time intervals. Such a system would findapplication in a timing 'machine wherein various operations areperformed and it is desired for each operation to be carried on tion toprovide pace making apparatus in which the extent of each pace can beadjusted as desired and resetting of the apparatus is not requiredbetween successive paces.

A further object of this invention is to provide simple pace makingapparatus which is applicable for various uses as for predetermined"counting, timing, and sequencing operations.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pace makingsystem in which a plurality of paces of different extent can be providedand continuously repeated without loss of time between the successivepaces.

Another object of this invention is to provide control operations inwhich repeating paces are intermediate each pace.

A feature of this invention is the provision of pace making apparatusincluding a pair of stepby-step operated devices and a system for co-nnecting the devices to any source of impulses so that each device willcount a predetermined num- 2 her of impulses which may or may not beequally spaced and then stop while the other device counts thepredetermined number, with said devices operating alternatively andresetting thereof not being required.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a timer in whichregularly spaced pulses control the pace making apparatus to provide thedesired time'inter'vals. The pulses are not necessarily equally spacedas will be more fully set forth.

A still further feature of this invention is the provision of controlapparatus for providing a repeating sequence of control operations withthe intervals between the succeeding operations being adjustable asdesired.

Further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig. 1 illustrates the basic operation of a pace making system inaccordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a modified system in which the paces may include alarge number of steps;

Fig. -3 illustrates a system in which control operations may be providedat intervals intermediate the paces produced by the system;

Fig. i illustrates a more complicated system in which a plurality ofpaces of diiferent extent can be provided and continuously repeated; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification for increasing the speed of operationof the systems.

Although the invention is illustrated by a system in which steppingswitches and relays are used, it is to be pointed out that various otherknown step-by-step devices can be used in the same manner as thestepping switches and various other devices responsive to thestep-by-step devices can be used in the same manner as the relays.

In practicing the invention there is provided a system including a pairof stepping switches and a pair of relays individually associated withthe switches for applying pulses to the windings thereof. The relaysinclude contacts for connecting the energizing windings of the steppingswitches to a source of pulses and in addition include contacts arrangedin holding circuits so that each relay remains'energized until the otherrelay is energized. Circuits are established through the contacts of thestepping switches so that after each switch is operated through apredetermined number of steps the relay associated with the otherstepping switch is energ'ized. This causes the other stepping switch tostart operating and the relay associated with the first stepping switchto be de-energized so that the first stepping switch stops. Thereafterthe stepping switches alternatively operate through the predeterminednumber of steps. The interconnection of the stepping switches is suchthat the switches can be used to produce a pace including any desirednumber of steps, within the limit of the particular switch structure,without any resetting of the switches. Arrangements are also providedwhereby switches can be connected in series to provide paces having agreater number of steps. By providing stepping switches having a largernumber of switch levels, controls at intermediate points in each pacecan be provided. Also a plurality of paces of different lengths can besuccessively produced and repeated in sequence by modification of thesystem to include more than two stepping switches and a correspondingnumber of relays.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a system including stepping switches Illand 20 and relays 30 and 40. The relay 3|) is associated with thestepping switch I and correspondingly the relay 40 is associated withthe stepping switch 20. The stepping switch I0 includes a drivingmechanism interrupter contact l2 and contact levels l3, l4, l5, l6 andH. The contact levels are each shown as including 10 contacts but it ispointed out that this number is used only as an example and forsimplicity of the disclosure, and a larger number of contacts may beprovided. The stepping switch similarly includes actuating mechanism 2|,interrupter contact 22, and contact levels 23, 24, 25, 2B and 21. Therelay 3!] includes three sets of contacts 3|, 32 and 33 and similarlyrelay 40 includes three sets of contacts 4|, 42 and 43. Contacts 33 whenclosed by relay connect the actuating mechanism H of the switch I0between the terminal marked minus and ground through the operatingswitch 50. In a similar manner contacts 43 of relay connect theactuating mechanism 2| of the switch 20 between minus and ground throughthe operating switch 50. Spark protection is provided for these contactsby the condensers l3 and 28 and resistors I9 and 29. The contacts 3| and4| form a holding circuit for the relay 30 with the contacts 4| beingnormally closed and the contacts 3| being normally open but closed whenthe relay 30 is actuated. This provides a closed circuit between minusand ground through the contacts 6| of homing switch Bl]. After relay 3!]is actuated, this circuit will be retained closed until the relay 40 isactuated, when the contacts 4| will open to break the holding circuit.Similarly the contacts 32 and 42 form a holding circuit for the relay 40which will hold relay 40 actuated until the contacts 32 are broken byactuation of relay 30.

The levels l3 and 23 of the switches I0 and 20 are the homing levels andare used to set up the initial positions of the switches l0 and 20 sothat the switches are in position for the desired operation. The movablecontacts at the homing levels are of the bridging type which engage thesucceeding contact before contact with the preceding contact is broken.The contacts of the level |3 are connected to a plurality of contacts 10which cooperate with an adjustable contact plate 1|. The adjustablecontact plate II is arranged to make connection with all of the fixedcontacts 10 except one, the contact 3 being shown open in Fig. 1. Anyother connecting means pro- .ducing this function can, obviously, beused. The

adjustable contact plate II is connected through the contacts 62 of thehoming switch to ground. The contacts of the level 23 of switch 20 areall connected to ground through the contacts 63 of the homing switchwith the exception of contact No. in the example illustrated. The movingcontact arms of the homing levels l3 and 23 are adapted to energize theactuating mechanisms and 2| of the switches l0 and 20, respectively,through the interrupter contacts l2 and 22. It is, therefore, seen thatwhen the homing switch 60 is moved to the right, the contact arm ofswitch ID will rotate until the arm on level I3 reaches the open contactof the group 10. In Fig. 1 contact 3 is the open contact and, therefore,the switch will stop on the No. 3 contact. The switch 20 will beoperated until the switch contact reaches the No. 1 position which isthe open position. As will be described more in detail, by changing theposition of the adjustable contact plate 1 the homing position of theswitch II) will be changed to provide a difierent pace.

The contacts of switch levels I4 and 24 are interconnected through adifierential connection including the members and 8|. These two membersinclude a number of contacts equal to the number of contacts on eachlevel of the stepping switches with the contacts on members 80 and 8|being in engagement to interconnect the two levels. The interconnection,however, may be varied as desired so that the No. contact on level 24may be connected to any desired contact on level I4. The succeedingcontacts will also be interconnected. For example, if No. contact oflevel 24 is connected with No. 3 contact of level It, as in Fig. 1, No.2 contact of level 24 will be connected with No. 4 contact on level l4.The contacts of levels l5 and 25 of the switches l0 and 20,respectively, are permanently and directly interconnected with the No.contact of level l5 at all times being connected with No. contact oflevel 25, etc. In a simple system the switch levels It and ll of switchl0 and levels 26 and 21 of switch 20 are not necessary. However, systemsusing these additional levels will be hereinafter described. Anysuitable arrangement may be used for providing the adjustableinterconnection.

Considering now the operation of the system of Fig. 1 it is to bepointed out that the system as disclosed can be used to provide a paceof any extent up to and including 9 steps. The number of steps in eachpace is determined by the setting of the adjustable contact plate 1| andthe relative setting of the contact members 80 and 8|. By permanentlyaflixing the contact member 8| and mechanically interconnecting thecontact plate 1| and contact member 8|], a single control can beprovided for setting the pace of the apparatus. As previously described,before operating the apparatus the homing switch 60 should be moved tothe position for closing contacts 62 and 63 to set the stepping switchesat the proper position for initiating operation. Contacts 62 provide acircuit through contact plate H, level i3, interrupter contacts l2 andactuating mechanism II to the negative potential. The interruptercontacts will provide step-by-step operation of the switch In in a wellknown manner until the movable contact engages contact 3 which is notconnected to ground through the contact plate II. This stops theoperation of the switch l0. Contacts 63 provide a similar circuitthrough level 23, interrupter contacts 22 and the actuating mechanism ofswitch 20. This cause the switch 'to'step until the No. I contact isengaged.

Alter the homing operation is completed, the switch 60 can be moved tothe normal position shown in the drawing with the contact -6I closing toground one side of the relays 30 and 40. It will be seen that in thisposition a closed circuit is provided through the winding of relay 4!,contact 3 of level -I4, terminal 3 of member 89, terminal "'I of member-'8I; and contact I of level 24. This energizes the relay 40 which locksthrough contacts '32 and '42 and causes contacts 43 to close energizingthe winding 2I of stepping switch 29 through the operating switch 30."When pulses of current are provided by intermittent closing of theswitch 50, the stepping switch '20 will continue to rotate until therelay is deenerg ized. This takes place in the system shown when theswitch 20 moves two steps as at this time the movable contact of levelengages the third contact of this level and this contact is-c'onnectedto the third contact of level I5 which is connected to minus potential.This causes the relay 39 to actuate and lock itself through contacts 3|and. The relay 33 breaks contacts 32 thereby opening the holding circuitfor relay 40. The relay 40 is, therefore, de-energized causing thecontacts -43 to open and disconnect the stepping switch from the sourceof pulses. Although the energizing circuit for the relay 43 through thelevels I 4 and 2-! is broken as soon as stepping switch 20 operates andthe movable contact of level 24 moves away from contact I and therebydisconnects this contact from minus potential, the relay 40 will remainoperated through the holding contact 3-2 and 42 until the relay isoperated to break the contacts 32.

The stepping switch 10 may be connected to the source of pulses throughcontacts 33 of relay 30. Gpcrat-ion of the main operating switch 50 willthen cause operation of the stepping switch I0 until the movable contactat level I4 engages contact 5. At this point a closed circuit isprovided for relay from contact 5 of level F4 through terminal 5 ofmember 89 to terminal 3 of member 8| to contact 3 of level 24. It willbe remembered that the switch 23 is now in position with the movablecontact of level 24 at contact 3 to thereby provide an energizingcircuit for relay 4!]. This opens contacts 4] to break the holdingcircuit for relay 33 causing switch It to be disconnected from thesourceof pulses. The contacts 43 are thereby closed so that switch 20 isagain connected'to the source of pulses. It will be obvious that thisprocedure will continue as long as the main operating switch isintermittently closed. In order to prevent simultaneous operation ofboth stepping switches in the event that the switch 50 is operated afterone relay actuates and before the other has dropped out, additionalnormally closed contacts may be provided in the relays 33 and 40in's'eries with contacts 33 and 43. Such an arrangement is illustratedby contacts 35 and #5 in Fig. 2. By providing additional contacts on therelays 3G and 40, such as contacts 34 and 44, operation of any equipmentdesired can be provided at the end of each pace. In the event that theequipment to be controlled is of such a nature that the circuitscontrolled by contacts 34 and '44 must not be simultaneously closed,normally closed contacts 36 and 46 may be provided in series with thecontacts 44 and 34 respectively. Then if contacts 34 close beforecontacts 44 open, the circuit through contacts 6 34 will be held open bycontacts 46 relay 4'0 releases to open contacts 44 and close contacts46.

As previously stated, the contact levels 1'6 and ii of switch II}together with the levels 26 and 21 of switch 20 can be used to provideadditional control'functions. The levels I6 and 26 can be interconnectedby a differential connection including members 86 and 81 which maybeidentical to members 81! and 81. The levels I1 and 2'! may be directlyinterconnected. It is, therefore, seen that when the switch 20 completesa pace the terminals B and D of levels I1 and 21 are interconnected andcan be used for closing any desired control circuit. Similarly, when theswitch Iii operates and completes the pace, 'the terminals A and C areinterconnected and these terminals may also be used for producing anydesired control functions. It is apparent that additional contact levelsmay be provided if a plurality of independent control circuits arerequired.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a system generally similar to that ofFig. l with the exception that two additional stepping switches areprovidedand arranged so that paces including more steps than the numberof contacts on each switch level can be used. As the circuits of Figs. 1and 2 are generally similar, the same reference characters are appliedto the corresponding parts. In addition to the equipment of Fig. 1,stepping switches 93 and IE9 are provided in Fig. 2. The switch includesan actuating mechanism 9 I, an interrupter contact 32 and contact levels93, 94 and 9-5, and the stepping switch I00 likewise includes anactuating mechanism 'I III, interrupter contact I02 contact levels I03,H14 and I05.

A switch I30 is provided for selectively connecting the steppingswitches 99 and I9!) into the system of Fig. 1. In the position shownthe switches 90 and I33 are not connected in the system and, therefore,the system of Fig. 2 will operate in exactly the same manner as thesystem of Fig. 1. However, when the switch I30 is moved to the right theswitches 96 and I30 are connected into the system. When thus connectedthe movable contact of level I5 instead of being connected directly tominus potential is connected through contacts [3i to the movable contactof level I85. Similarly the movable contact of level 23 instead of beingconnected directly to minus potential is connected through contacts I32to the movable contact of level 94.

A homing circuit including switch H0 is provided for bringing theswitches 9!] and IE!!! to the initial position for operation which isgenerally similar to the homing circuit of Fig. 1. Levels 93 and IE3 ofthe switches are for homing purposes with the contacts of level 93 beingconnected to terminals adapted to be engaged by adjustable contact plateI23 which is connected to the contacts III of the homing switch Hi). Allof the contacts of level Hi3 except contact I are connected to thecontacts '2 of the homing switch H0. Therefore, when the switch I I9 ismoved to the right, and the switch I39 is also at the right, steppingswitch 99 is brought to a position depending upon the setting of contactplate I20 and the switch I90 is moved to the normal posi 'tion orposition in which the contact arm engages contact No. I of each level.For provid- 'ing potential to the stepping switches 93 and I00 "duringthe homing operation, switches H3 and I I4 may be provided, and as theseswitches are to be closed onlyduring the homing operation they may beincluded as a part of the homing switch H0. The homing switch H and thehoming switch 60 may be mechanically interconnected so that homing ofthe system is provided by a single operation. The contacts of levels 94and I04 are connected through the differential connection provided bycontact members I2I and I22 which may be identical to the contactmembers 80 and BI. The contacts of level 95 and I05 are directlyinterconnected.

The stepping switches 90 and I00 are operated in the complete systemthrough the levels I6 and II of stepping switch I0 and the levels 26 and21 of stepping switch 20. The levels It and 26 are interconnectedthrough the differential connectlon including members 86 and 81 as inFig. 1, but the members are positioned so that there is a difference orslip of one more contact than between the members 80 and 8|. As thiswill always be one more contact, the members II, 80 and 86 can bemechanically interconnected to be operated by a single control. Thelevels I! and 21 may be permanently interconnected, with the connectionproviding a slip of one contact instead of connecting correspondingcontacts as in Fig. I. That is contact I of level II is connected tocontact 2 of level 21 and so on. The levels I6 and 26 are arranged toapply a potential to the energizing windin ml of the stepping switch I00through the contacts I34 of switch I30 and contacts 31 and 41 of relays30 and 40 respectively. It is, therefore, seen that the stepping switchI00 will be operated only when a closed circuit is provided throughlevels I6 and and when the re lay is released and the relay is actuated.The levels I! and 21 similarly apply a potential to the energizingwinding of stepping switch 90 through contacts I33 of switch I30 andthrough contacts 38 and 48 of relays 30 and 40 respectively. In thiscase the stepping switch 90 will be operated only when a closed circuitis provided through levels I! and 21 and the relay 30 is actuated andthe relay 40 is released. In the system of Fig. 2, the number ofcontacts on the relays 30 and 40 can be reduced by connectin theoperating switch directly to the windings of the stepping switches I0and 20 and connecting negative potential to the stepping switches I0 and90 through one pair of contacts and connecting negative potential to theswitches 20 and I00 through a second pair of contacts.

Considering now the operation of the system of Fig. 2, the adjustablecontact plates II and I20 and the relative position of members 80 and8I, 82 and 83, and I2I and I22 are set to determine the pace. In asystem having ten contacts as shown the position of plate I20 andmembers I2I and I22 will determine the tens digit of the pace and theposition of plate 'II and the relative position of members BI and 82 andthe members 86 and 81 will determine the units digit. As the member I20is set so that an open circuit is provided at terminal 4, and themembers I2I and I22 are positioned so that contact 4 of member I 2|engages contact I of member I22, the tens digit will be the differencebetween 4 and 1, or 3. A previously described the contact plate II andthe members 80 and SI are positioned so that the units digit is 2. Thesystem of Fig. 2, therefore, is set so that the pace has an extent of 32steps.

In operating this system, the interconnecting switch I30 must be movedto the right. The homing switches and H0, which may have a commonactuating member, are moved to the stepping right so that the steppingswitches I0, 20, 90 and I00 are all set at the proper-initial positions.The relay 40 will be energized through contact 3 of level I4. contact Iof level 24, contact 4 or level 94 and contact I of level I04. This-willcause the stepping switch 20 to operate in response to closing of theoperating switch 50. However, when the switch 20 moves to the thirdcontact, the circuit through relay 30 is not closed through levels 25and I5 as previously described. The movable contact of level I5 isconnected to the movable contact I05 which is at position land isdirectly connected to position 1 of the level 05. The movable contact atlevel 95 is at position 4 and, therefore, does not energize the circuitthrough relay 30. The stepping switch 20, will, therefore, continueuntil the movable contact of level 26 engages and leaves contact I0.This will apply a pulse to the winding IOI of switch I00 causing thecontact members thereof to move one step and accordingly the movablecontact of level I05 will engage contact 2. It will be apparent thateach time the switch 20 sweeps through the ten contacts of the levelsthereof, the switch I00 will move one step. Although the stepping switch20 will not always start at contact I, the levels I6 and 26 will apply apulse to the stepping switch I00 each time the switch 20 passes throughthe contact preceding the contact from which it started. As previouslystated, for the stepping switch I00 to be energized, the switch I30 mustbe to the right, the relay 30 must be released, and the relay 40 must beenergized. Therefore, after the switch 20 has moved 30 steps, themovable contact of level I05 will engage terminal 4. When the switch 20then takes two more steps, a closed circuit will be provided for relay30 through level 25, level I5, level I05 and level 95. This will causerelay 30 to become energlzed and relay 40 to be de-energlzed aspreviously stated.

When the relay 30 is thus energized, contacts 33 thereof will allow thestepping switch I0 to be energized and respond to the operating switch50. In this instance the switch I0 will continue in operation until aclosed circuit is provided for the relay 40. The energizing circuit forrelay 40 extends between level I i, members 00 and 8|, level 24, level94, members I2I and I22 and level I04. It will be apparent from aconsideration of Fig. 2 that the stepping switch 90 will not be operateduntil the stepping switch I0 has passed through the contact precedingthat from which it started. The circuit through relay 40 will be closedwhen the switch I0 moves thirty steps, causin the switch 00 to movethree steps, and then the switch I0 moves two additional steps making atotal of thirty-two steps. Although the switches I0 and 20 will move thetotal number of steps in the pace during each pace, the number of stepsmoved by the switches 90 and I00 will depend upon the tens digit of thenumber of steps in the pace. The movement of the switches 90 and I00 isindependent of the starting point of the switches I0. and 20 so thatcontinuous operation takes place and no resetting is required. By usinga larger number of contacts on each switch and by using two or moreswitches in series in the manner described, paces including a very largenumber of steps can be provided. Various other transfer arrangements canbe used to interconnect a plurality of switches to provide paces havinga large number of steps.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a system which is generally similar tothe system of Fig. 1 but in 9 which the stepping; switches include extralevels which are connected so that operating controls can be. providedat steps intermediate the completepaces. For example, if the equipmentis set for'operating on paces of eight steps, in addition to thecontrols at the ends of each pace or eight steps, controls can also beprovided after 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 steps, for example. In this systemstepping switches 250 and 226 are provided and relays 230 and. 240 areassociated therewith. The switch. 2 1.0 includes an actuating mechanism2 I i, an interrupter contact 212, and contact levels 213, 214, 215,216, 21.1 and 216. Similarly switch 226- includes an actuating mechanism22!, intermpter contact 222,. and contact levels 223, 224, 225, 22.6,221' and 228. Homing of the switches is obtained through contact levels21 8 and 223, with the switch 256 and adjustable contact plate 251being: provided for homing the switch 266 at the contact corresponding.to the total. number of steps in the. pace plus one, and for homing theswitch. 226 at the initial or No. 1 contact position. Thisisaccomplished by moving the switch. 256 to the: right as in the priormodifications.

When the switch 256 is in the normal position as illustrateditiseffective to ground one terminal of the relays: 236 and 246 so thatthese relays are condition. for operation. The relay 230 includes.contacts 231, 232 and 233 with the contacts 231 and. 232 being includedin. holding circuits and the contacts 233 being the main contacts forenergizing the switch 216 through the operating switch 252. Similarly,relay 246 includesholding-contacts 261 and 242 used in holdm circuitsand contacts 243 for connecting switch 226' to. the operating switch252. The contact levels 24 and 224 of switches 21% and 226,respectively, are directly interconnected and varione other contactlevels are interconnected through slip contacts. More specifically,contact levels: 21-5 and. 2-16 are interconnected through contactmembers 260 and. 2.61, levels 216 and. 211 are interconnected. throughcontact members 2.62 and 263, contact members 211 and: 218" areinterconnectedthrough members 264and 265, contact levels 216 and 225 areinterconnected through contact members 266 and 2161, contact levels 224and. 226 are interconnected through: members 268 and 26-9., levels 226and 221 through members 21!] and- 21 -1=, and contact levels 221- and228' through contact members 212. and 213:.

Insetting up the system. for operation, the adjustablecontact plate 251must be positioned so that the: contact on level 2.! 3 corresponding toone more than the total number of steps in the pace is open. The" systemillustrated is'set up to operate: at a pace of eight steps and theswitch 211] must be horned to be eight positions away from thellc. 1position, or on: contact No. 9. Accordingly, the contact plate 261 ispositioned so that the No. 9 contact on level 2131s open. The extracontact levels 2 16, 211 and 218 on switch 21-6 and contact levels 226,22'? and 226- on switch 226 permit control operationsv at stepsintermediate the pace. Inthe system shown, at the start therelay 240- isenergized through contact 9 of level 215 and. connects stepping switch226130. the. source of pulses. Differential connections are providedwhich are. adjusted so that when switch 220 moves two-steps, theterminal W at level 228 willbe energized, at three steps the terminal Xat level 256 will. he energized, at four steps the terminal Y at level-21 1. will be energized, at five steps the terminal V at level 221, atsix steps the terminal U at level 226,. and at seven steps, the terminalZ at level 218- will be energized. After eight steps the relay 236 willbe energized through contact 9 of level 224-. The intermediateoperations are accomplished by positioning member 26! with respect tomember 26.6 so that a slip of three contacts is provided. That is,contact 5- of member 261 engages contact 4 of member 266. To provideenergization of terminal Y after one additional step or four steps,members 262 and 263' are positioned for providing a slip oi one contact.To provide energization of terminal Z after three additional. steps orseven steps, a slip of three contacts is provided. by members 266and265. It will be apparent that levels 215 and 225 in Fig. 3 correspondto-levels i4 and 24in Fig. 1 and, therefore, a total slip between theselevels corresponding. to. the total pace will be required. The totalwillv automatically add up the total slip between these levels and ifone part of the pace is to be increased, the slip corro pending to thispart can be increased and the total pace will be automaticallyincreased. The slip between members 268 and 269 is two steps, between2'56 and 21 1 is one additional step, and between 2'52 and 2'53 is threesteps. These slips indicate the steps measured from the end of the paceat which the terminals U, V and W are energized.

Considering now the operation of the system, first the switches 216 and220 are horned so that thecontact members of switch'210 are all atcontact 9. Relay 246 will then be energized through switch level 215,contact 9 of member 266, contact 6 of member 261, contact 6 of member262, contact 5 of member 263, contact 5 of member 264, contact 2 ofmember 265, contact. 2 of member 261, contact I of member 266:, and.contact 1 of level 225 which is connected to minus potential by the:movable contact. This wil1 cause relay contacts. 243 to be. closedconnecting stepping switch 220 to the main operating switch 252. Aspulses are provided by intermittent closing of operating switch 252,step-by-ste operation of switch 220 will take place. The switch 226moves until the movable contact at level 228 engages contact 3. It willbe seen that terminal W at level 228 is then connected to minuspotential through contact 3 of member 213, contact 6 of member 212,contact 6 of member 211, contact 1 of member 21.6, contact 1 of member2691, contact 9 of member 268, and the movable contact of level 214which engages contact 9. As the switch 226 moves one further step, theterminal X will be connected to minus potential by the movable contactat level 225 through contact 4 of member 266, contact 5 of member 261,contact 5 of member 265,. contact 8 of member 264, contact 8 of member263, contact 9 of member 262, and the movable contact of level 216.After the stepping switch 220 moves one additional step, terminal Y oflevel 211 will be connected to minus potential through contact 5 ofmember 266, contact 6 of member 261, contact 6 of member 265, contact 6of member 264, and movable contact of level 211. In a similar manner,movement of the switch 220 through the fifth, sixth and seventh stepscauses energization of the terminals V, U and Z, respectively. When theswitch 220 makes one further step to complete the eight steps of thepace, the movable contact of level 224 will engage contact 6 which isdirectly connected to contact 9 of level 214 so that the movable contactof level 224 is connected to minus potential and the relay 236 will beenergized. Operation of this relay will open contacts 232 releasing theholding circuit of relay 240 and close contact 233- for connectingswitch 2 to the main operating switch 252. It is, therefore, seen thatwhile the switch 220 completes the eight steps in the pace, controls canbe provided by terminals W, X, Y, V, U and Z a steps intermediate thecomplete pace.

The next pace is provided by movement of stepping switch 2|0. Operationof the main operating switch 252 will cause stepping switch 2l0 tooperate until the switch completes the pace of eight steps. At thispoint it will be apparent that the movable contact at level 2 l5 willengage contact No. 1 which is connected through contact I of member 260,contact 4 of member contact 4 of member 262, contact 3 of member 253,contact 3 of member 264, contact [0 of member 265, contact 10 of member261 and contact 9 of member 266 to contact 9 of level 225 which is nowengaged by the movable contact. Accordingly,

, the relay 240 will be connected to minus potential through the statedconnections and contacts 23! open to release relay 230, and contacts 243close to connect switch 220 to the main operating switch 252.Intermediate operations can be provided during the pace produced bymovement of the stepping switch 2! 0 through the levels 2l6, 2H and H8of switch 210 and the levels 226, 22! and 228 of switch 220. Althoughthe paces accomplished by the switches H0 and 220 corre sponding to oneset of homing positions must extend over the same number of steps, theintermediate operations may be provided at different steps within thepaces,

The following table indicates the steps at which the terminals areenergized during operation of each stepping switch with the connectionsillustrated in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that a reciprocal pattern exists with the steps atwhich the terminals are energized during movement of switch 2|0 beinginverse to that during movement of switch 220. It will be apparent thatthe members providing the slip can be set up to provide a very largenumber of combinations to meet many different requirements. The variousterminals may be deenergized during movement of either switch 2 H! or220 by the provision of additional contacts on the relays 230 and 240 todisconnect certain of terminals when either switch 210 or switch 220 iscompleting its pace. C'ompletely independent operation can be providedduring the paces of switches 2|0 and 220 by disconnecting the equipmentsconnected to terminals X, Y and Z when switch 0 is stepping and bydisconnecting equipments connected to terminals U, V and W when switch220 is stepping. In such operation, if it is desired that theintermediate steps be the same in all paces, the slip members can beinterlocked to reduce the number of separate members to be set up. Alsothe equipment can be set up so that two successive paces, that is, thepace produced by switch 220 and the pace produced by switch 2|0 form onedouble pace which will then be continuously repeated. Other differentmodes of operation will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a' modified system in which a pluralityof paces of different extent can be provided in sequence andcontinuously repeated. This system includes four stepping switches 300,310, 320 and 330 and four associated relays 340, 350, 360 and 310. Theswitch 300 includes actuating mechanism 30!, interrupter contact 302 andcontact levels 303, 304 and 305. The switches 3|0, 320 and 330 containidentical components which are similarly numbered. The relays eachinclude two normally open contacts and two normally closed contacts forestablishing operating and holding circuits. Relay 340 includes contacts34!, 342, 343, and 344, and relays 350, 360 and 310 include similarlynumbered contacts. A main operating switch 380 is provided which isadapted to be intermittently operated as in previous modifications.

One level of each of the stepping switches is provided for homing theswitches with the contacts of the homin level of each switch beingconnected through the interrupter contact to bring the switch to apredetermined initial position. The homing switch includes contacts 390,391, 392 and 393 which may be ganged together for operation by a singlemember. The switch 390 is arranged to brin the stepping switch 300 tothe No. I contact position for initial operation. The stepping switch310 may be horned in any desired position depending upon the extent ofthe first pace in the sequence with the number of steps in the pacebeing determined by the setting of the adjustable contact plate 394. Theproper setting is determined by the number of steps between the No. Icontact and the contact not engaged by the contact plate 394. If thefirst pace is to include seven steps the contact plate 394 should be setso that the No. 8 contact is open as shown in the figure. Similarly, ifthe first pace includes six steps the contact plate should be positionedso that the No. 1 contact is in open position. It is apparent that whenswitch 39l is closed the switch 310 will move until the open contact ofthe level 3I3 is engaged.

Steppin switch 320 includes a similar homing arrangement including thelevel 323, adjustable contact plate 395 and the switch 392. When settingthe adjustable contact plate 395 the number of steps in the first andsecond paces must be considered. If the first pace is seven steps asstated above and the second pace is six steps, the contact plate 395must be set so that the member 4 contact, which is thirteen steps fromthe No. I contact, must be open. When the total number of steps igreater than ten only the units digit need be considered. The switch 330has a homing arrangement identical to that of switches 3l0 and 320,including the contact level 333, adjustable contact plate 396 and theswitch 393. In setting this contact plate 396, the number of steps inthe three paces must be considered. The contact plate is shown with theNo. 1 contact open which would be proper when the first pace is sevensteps, the second pace is six steps, and the third pace is three steps.In this system the total number of steps in each pace must be limited tothe number of contacts on the switches being used. However, the totalnumber of steps in the several paces which operate in sequence need notbe limited to the total number of contacts on a switch.

A differential connection is required between the contact level 305 andthe contact level 334. This connection includes members 391 and 398which are relatively movable with respect to each other.

.trol applicationsaware? 11:3 The differential connection. between: themembers 39.! and 3.98 mustv correspond. to. the units digit of the totalnumber of steps in. the three paces and, therefore, corresponds to theposition of the contact. plate. 396:. Although the system isillustrated. with switches having ten contacts and units and tens-digitsare referred to,

it is obvious that switches having more contacts can 'be used andthedifierential connectionscomputed in a generally similar manner.

Considering now the operation of the system of Fig. 4, when the fourswitches are homed it will be apparent that the relay 340 is actuatedthrough level 305 and level 334. This connects the stepping switch 380in series with the main operating switch 338. As this switch isintermittently operated, the switch 306- will continuein a step-by-stepmanner until contact 8 isengaged. At this point c nnection will be madethrough levels 306 and 554 to energize. relay 3.50. Energization ofrelay 350 will break contacts 353 thereby disconnecting the steppingswitch 309 from the main operating switch 389- and also disengaging thecontacts 352 in the holding circuit of therelay 349. The relay 350'will, through contacts 358, energize stepping switch 3m to cause thisswitch to start. This switch 310 will continue in a step-by-stepmanneruntil six steps have been made which causes contact 4 to be engaged.Connection is then made through level '35 and 324 to energize relay 350.This relay will disconnect both stepping switch 310 and the holdingcircuit through relay 35B and will cause the stepping switch 320 to beconnected in series with the main operating switch. Stepping switch 320will then move in a step-by-step manner three steps until contact I isengaged. At this point connection is made through levels 325 and 335 toenergize relay 310. This breaks the circuit through stepping switch 320and also the holding circuit for relay 360 and iseffective to connectstepping switch 339 in series with the main operating switch 380. Switch33% will then move in a step-by-stepmanner-until it has moved throughseven steps. At this point the movable switch contacts will engagecontact No. 4. At this point connection is made through levels 334,contact 4 of member 398' and contact 8 of member'3'9 l and level 305 forenergizing the re1ay'340. It is to be pointed out that the switch 300 isnow in. a position in which the contacts No. 8 are engaged. The sequencewill continue with the switch 300 moving through six steps, the switch3l0'through three steps, and the switch 320 through seven steps. It willbe apparent, therefore, that paces having 7, 6, and 3 steps arecontinuously-repeated.

The systems of Figs. 3 and 4 as illustrated are based on a system inwhich the steps in each pace are limited to the number of contacts onthe stepping switches used. It is obvious, however, that these systemcan be modified in accordance with Fig. 2 to include a plurality ofswitches in a multiplying arrangement to provide paces having a greatnumber of steps. In the event that the switches are used to operateequipment in which it is important that certain operations are notinitiated before certain other operations aresuccessfully completed,variou interlocking arrangements may be provided.

As previously stated, the pace making circuit as disclosed can be usedin various different con- By using properly designed relays andstep-by-step devices the system can be made to operatevery rapidly; thestepf-by-s-tep devices being. generally the limiting factor. How'- ever,stepping switches are now available which will. provide. steppingoperations at the rate of approximately operationsper second and chainsof electron tubes would operate much faster, for example. In the systemdescribed in Figs. 1 and 3; an interval between paces is required foractuation of one relay, which releases the other relay, which in turndisconnects the stepping switch which has been operating. This intervalcan be reduced. by providing: an additional set of contacts on therelays so that the actuation of the relay directly disconnects thestepping switch which has been operating as well as connecting the otherstepping switch. Such a system is illustrated by Fig. 2 in which relaycontacts. 35 and 45, which are normally closed, are opened by operationof the relays 39 and 49, respectively. The contact 35. is in series withthe stepping switch 23 to disconnect the switch 2E) as .soon as therelay3i} is: operated. Similarly, contacts 45 disconnect stepping switch Ill.It is obvious that this arrangement can also be used in the systemsotFigs. l and-3.

In the event that still faster operation is required, asystemasdisclosed in Fig. 5 can be used. which utilizes two additional contactlevels such as the. extra levels l6, I1, 25 and 21 of the switches H3and 20 in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 5 the contact levels [6- and2-6 can be bridged across the actuating mechanism I l of the switch 10to short out the actuating mechanism as soon asthe switchesreach thepredetermined positions terminating a pace. This eliminates the timerequired for the relay M to act to disconnect relay 3t and for thisrelay 3-8 in turn to disconnect the actuating mechanism ll. When usingsuch a system a resistor I59 must be provided in series with theactuating mechanism to prevent short circuiting of the power supply whenthe mechanism- H is shorted out. The actuating mechanism 21- cansimilarly be shorted out by the levels I! and 21. and in this circuit aseries resistor 15! may be provided. The levels It and 26, and thelevels I! and 21' form in effect normally open circuits which close atthe end of each pace. The system as illustrated in Fig. 5 is not limitedto use for providing faster operation of the system between paces, butmay be used for actuating auxiliary equipment either at the end of apace on at. any intermediate point within a pace.

When used as a counter the main operating switch 52!}: of Figs. 1 and 2and similarly the main operating switches 252 of Fig. 3' and 380 of Fig.4 can be operated in any manner desired. The

switch may be provided as contacts of a relay which obviously can beincluded in any control. circuit. When used as a timing system the mainoperating switch may be controlled by pulses from any source such aselectronic pulse producing apparatus which are available or mechanicallydriven interrupting or pulse producing means. As previously stated, thepulses can be equally or unequally spaced, and pulses having differentspacing can be intermixed in any deare supplied to the stepping switchesfrom the power line itself. Frequency dividing arrangements can beprovided for operating the system from an alternating current source ata frequency which is a sub-multiple of the source frequency. That is,the system could be arranged so that a pulse is applied to the steppingswitches after any given number of cycles, or half cycles such as aftertwo or three cycles. It is to be noted that the standard power frequencyof 60 cycles per second is within the speed limitations of the steppingswitches.

If desired, a plurality of pulse producing units operating at differenttime intervals can be provided and the units may be selectively switchedinto the system in any various manners. For example, in a simple systemas illustrated in Fig. 1, interrupting mechanism operating at a firstspeed can be used to actuate the switch 50 while the stepping switchoperates, and at the end of the first pace, the relay 3!] can be used toconnect an interrupting mechanism operating at a different time intervalso that the pace produced by the switch It], although including the samenumber of steps, is of a different time duration. It is obvious thatpulses of difierent spacing can be combined at intermediate pointswithin the paces. Various other modifications and applications of theequipment will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The system disclosed is particularly advantageous in that the successivepaces are provided without resetting of the switches. That is, after oneace has been completed the other switch merely continues on to producethe next pace and does not revert back to a fixed position or continueon until a fixed position is reached before starting the next pace. Thisresults in a faster operating system since the time for resetting iscompletely eliminated. Also it results in longer life of the apparatusas the switch contacts are not worn by the movement of the movablecontacts during resetting movement. It is apparent that, especially withpaces having very few steps, this reduction in wear is very great.Another important factor contributing to the life of the switches isthat the contacts of the stepping switches carry current only for aninstant at the end of each pace. That is, only the contacts engaged atthe end of each pace carry current, and this current is reduced veryquickly because a parallel holding circuit is set up through the relays.The contacts of the stepping switches which carry current are openedonly after the parallel circuit has been set up so that the contacts ofthe switches do not actually break a current carrying circuit. Similarlythe contacts of the transfer levels, as in Fig. 2, only carry current atone particular contact during each complete operation of the steppingswitches. The life of the switches is further increased in that onlyhalf of the steps are performed on each switch. Also the number ofcontacts on each level can be very large to further increase the life ofthe apparatus.

The system disclosed does not depend on particular switch structures butcan be practiced with various step-by-step operating structures. Thereis also no required relationship between the number of steps in a paceand the number of contacts on the stepping switches, except of course,in simple systems as illustrated in Fig. l, where the number of stepscannot exceed the number of contacts on each stepping switch. As thereis no direct relationship between the steps and contacts, one system'canbe used in many different applications providing flexibility notpossible in prior systems. More specifically, by proper setting of theslip members, a system can be used for a large number of differentcontrol purposes in which different intervals are required. For example,the pace making system may be used as a brain or nervous system forcontrolling a plurality of interrelated functions and can causeoperation of the individual functions at desired time intervals or aftercertain processes have been completed because any pulse producing devicecan be used to operate the system.

Paces having a large number of steps can be provided by the use ofswitches having a large number of contacts on each level. Also the useof a plurality of switches in cascade as illustrated in Fig. 2 permitsoperation on paces having a large number of steps. It is to be pointedout that the multiple system of Fig. 2 is not applicable only to asimple system as illustrated in Fig. 1, but can also be used in systemsin accordance with Figs. 3 and 4. When using a plurality of switches incascade in each operating unit, only one relay is still required foreach operating unit. The setting of the system to count any desirednumber does not require a plurality of relays or an arrangement in whicha large number of intermediate contacts are required. This is animportant feature, both in the saving of cost in the original equipment,and in the maintenance cost as such contacts may become defective andinterfere with the operation of the system.

While I have described certain embodiments of my invention which areillustrative thereof, it is apparent that various modifications andchanges can be made therein without departing from the intended scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Pace making apparatus comprising first and second step-by-stepoperating devices, means for homing said devices so that said firstdevice is brought to an initial condition and said second device isoperated beyond a corresponding initial condition by a predeterminednumber of steps which form the pace, a source of pulses, and controlmeans including a pair of responsive devices for connecting saidstep-by-step devices to said source of pulses, said control meansconnecting said first step-by-step device to said source of pulses foroperation thereof through said predetermined number of steps and.thereafter connectin said step-by-step devices to said source of pulsesfor operation through said predetermined number of steps in an alternatemanner, said responsive devices operating between said successive pacesto operate an external control.

2. A pace making system including first and second devices which operatein a given direction only and in a step-by-step manner, control meansinterconnecting said devices so that said devices alternately stand atrest and operate through a predetermined number of steps which form apace, said control means including portions for stopping the operationof each device when a pace is completed thereby and for startingoperation of the other device, and means connected to said control meansand operating between successive paces for performing a controlfunction.

3. A pace making system including a plurality of members movable in agiven direction only 17' in a step-by-step manner, operating means formoving said members, control means for said operating means connected toat least two of said members, said control means causin said operatingmeans to move said members in turn and including portions operatingafter each of said members has completed a predetermined number of stepsfor stopping said operating means of the said member and starting theoperating means of another member, and means operated between successivepaces capable of performing control functions.

4. Apparatus for operating controls at predetermined time intervalscomprising means for producing ,pulses which occur at regular timeintervals, a pair of stepping switches, and a circuit for alternatelyconnecting said switches to said pulse producing means for causingoperation thereof, said circuit including a portion operating after eachof said switches has received a predetermined number of pulses forconnecting the other of said switches to said pulse producing means,said control circuit including control means for performing a controlfunction each time said predetermined number of pulses has occurred.

5. A pace making system comprising a plurality of step-by-step operatingdevices each including a plurality of contact means and driving means, asource of pulses, and a control circuit including said contact means forconnecting said driving means in turn to said source of pulses, saidcontrol circuit operating to disconnect the driving means of eachstep-by-step device from said source of pulses after said device hascompleted a pace including a predetermined number of steps and toconnect the driving means of the next step-by-step device thereto, saidcontrol circuit providing current through said contact means only at theend of each pace.

- 6. Pace making apparatus comprising first and econd stepping switchesincluding a plurality of contacts, first and second relays respectivelyassociated with said stepping switches and each including at least threesets of contacts, a source of pulses, a circuit including one set ofcontacts of each relay connecting said source of pulses to said steppingswitches for selectively applying pulses to the stepping switchassociated with the relay which is actuated, a holding circuit for saidfirst relay including the second set of contacts of each relay forholding said first relay actuated until said second relay is actuated, aholding circuit for said second relay including the third set ofcontacts of each relay for holding said second relay actuated until saidfirst relay is actuated, and an operating circuit including contacts ofsaid stepping switches and said first and second relays for actuatingeach relay after the stepping switch associated with the other relay hasadvanced a predetermined number of steps.

7. Pace making apparatus comprising first and second stepping switches,first and second relays individually associated with said switches, asource of pulses, a circuit including said relays for connecting eachstepping switch to said source of pulses when the relay associatedtherewith is actuated, interlocking means including said relays forholding each relay actuated until the other relay is actuated, and anoperating circuit including said stepping switches and said relays foractuating each relay when the switch associated with the other relay hasadvanced a predetermined number of steps.

. 8. Pace making apparatus comprising first and second stepping switcheshaving a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a plurality of levelsand movable contacts associated with each level, first and second relaysindividually associated with said switches, a circuit including saidstepping switches and said relays for connecting the associated steppingswitch to a source of pulses when each relay is actuated, interlockingmeans including said relays for holding each relay actuated until theother relay is actuated, a second circuit including said first relay andconductor means interconnecting corresponding contacts of one level ofeach of said switches, said second circuit energizing said, first relaywhen said switches are at corresponding positions, and a third circuitincluding said second relay and dif ferential means interconnectingcontacts of a sec- 0nd level of said first and second switches with thecontacts of said second switch being connected to contacts of said firstswitch which are advanced by a predetermined number, said third circuitenergizing said second relay when said switches are at positionsdiiiering by said predetermined number.

9. Pace making apparatus comprising first and second stepping switchesincluding a plurality of contacts, first and second relays respectivelyassociated with said stepping switches and each including at least twosets of contacts, a source of pulses, a circuit connecting said sourceof pulses to said stepping switches including one set of contacts ofeach relay for connecting said pulses to the stepping switch associatedwith the relay which is actuated and a second set of contacts of eachrelay for disconnecting the pulses from the stepping switch associatedwith the relay which is not actuated, interlocking means including saidrelays for holding each relay actuated until the other relay isactuated, and an operating circuit including contacts of said steppingswitches and said first and second relays for automatically actuatingeach relay after the stepping switch associated with the other relay hasadvanced a predetermined number of steps.

10. Apace making system comprising a plurality of stepping switches eachincluding a plurality of fixed contacts, a movable contact associatedwith said fixed contacts, and driving means for said movable contacts,means for homing said switches so that said movable contacts are broughtto predetermined initial positions, a source of pulses, and a controlcircuit connecting said driving means to said source of pulses andincluding conductor means interconnecting said switch contacts in suchmanner that said driving means of each switch is disconnected from saidsource of pulses after it has completed a pace including a predeterminednumber or" steps and said driving means of the next switch is connect edthereto, said control circuit including means operating betweensuccessive paces for periorming additional control functions.

11. A pace making system comprising a plu-= rality of stepping switcheseach including a plurality of mechanically interconnected movablecontacts, driving means for said movable contacts and a group of fixedcontacts associated with each movable contact, means for homing saidswitches so that said movable contacts thereof are brought topredetermined initial posi tions, 3, source of pulses, and a controlcircuit connected to said switch contacts, said driving means andsaidsource of pulses for selectively connecting said driving means in turnto said source of pulses, said control circuit disconnecting eachdriving means from said source of pulses after the switch of which itforms a part has completed a pace including a predetermined number ofsteps and connecting the driving means of the next switch thereto, saidcontrol circuit including means for simultaneously changing theinterconnections between said fixed contacts for changing the number ofsteps in said paces.

12. A pace making system comprising a plurality of stepping switcheseach including a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in differentlevels, a plurality of mechanically interconnected movable contactsassociated with said levels and driving means for said movable contacts,a circuit connected to the contacts of one level of each switch and tosaid driving means thereof for homing said switches so that said movablecontacts are brought to predetermined initial positions, a source ofpulses, and a control circuit connected to said driving means and tosaid source of pulses and including conductor means for interconnectingthe fixed contacts of at least two other of said levels of each switchto the fixed contacts of other levels of other switches, said controlcircuit connecting said driving means of said switches in turn to saidsource of pulses and disconnecting each driving means from said sourceof pulses after the switch of which it forms a part has completed a paceincluding a predetermined number of steps, said conductor means beingadjustable to change the interconnection between said fixed contacts tothereby change the number of steps in said paces, said control circuitincluding means operating between successive paces for performingadditional control functions.

13. A pace making system including a plurality of devices which operatein a step-by-step manner, control means interconnecting said devices sothat each device operates through a pace comprising a predeterminednumber of steps while the other device is inoperative, said controlmeans including a portion rendering each device inoperative after thepace is completed thereby and initiating operation of the other deviceso that said devices operate continuously in an alternate manner, andmeans operated between successive paces for performing controlfunctions.

14. Apparatus for repeatedly counting a predetermined number of eventscomprising first and second stepping switches, means for producingpulses corresponding in time to the occurrence of said events, a controlcircuit for connecting said switches to said pulse producing means sothat said pulses are applied to one of said switches for operating thesame until said predetermined number has been counted and then saidpulses are applied to the other of said switches for operating the sameuntil said predetermined number has been reached, said control circuitcontinuing to apply said pulses to said switches in an alternate mannerand including a control member which operates each time saidpredetermined number has been counted.

15. Apparatus for repeatedly counting a predetermined number of eventscomprising first and second operating units each including a pair ofstepping switches, said stepping switches including a given number offixed contacts and movable contacts for engaging said fixed contacts ina step-by-step manner, means for producing pulses corresponding in timeto the occurrence of an event, a control circuit connecting saidoperating units to said ulse producing means so that one of said unitsoperates until said predetermined number has been counted and then theother of said units operates until said predetermined number has beencounted, said control circuit applying said pulses to one of saidswitches of each operating unit for operating the same one ste each timea pulse is applied thereto, each or said units including an auxiliarycircuit for applying a pulse to the other of said switches of each unitfor operating the same one step each time said movable contact of saidone switch passes the fixed contact preceding that from which said oneswitch started, said control circuit including a member for performing acon-. trol function each time said predetermined number has beencounted.

16. Pace making apparatus comprising means for producing pulses, aplurality of pulse actuated step-by-step devices, and control meansconnected to said devices and to said pulse producing means, saidcontrol means individually connecting each of said devices to said pulseproducing means for actuation thereby, with said control meansconnecting each of said devices for a number of pulses which forms apace, said control means disconnecting each device after a pace iscompleted thereby and connecting the next of said devices to said pulseproducing means for a number of pulses which form another pace, saidcontrol means providing continuing operation or said devices in arepeating sequence and including a control member for performing acontrol function after operation of each device.

1?. Pace making apparatus comprising means for producing pulses, a pairof stepping switches each including a plurality of fixed contactsarranged in levels, mechanically interconnected movable contactsassociated with each level and driving means for said movable contacts,a circuit connecting said driving means to a source of pulses includingconductor means interconnecting said fixed contacts of different levels,said circuit including portions individually associated with saidswitches and rendered operative when the associated switch moves apredetermined number of steps to form a pace for disconnecting theswitch which has moved from said source of pulses and connecting theother switch thereto, so that one of said switches operates for a paceincluding a predetermined number of steps and then the other of saidswitches operates for said pace with said switches continuingalternately, said conductor means interconnecting said fixed contacts ofcertain of said levels so that control operations are provided throughsaid movable contacts of said levels after certain steps in each pace,

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 in which said conductor meansinterconnecting said fixed contacts are adjustable to change saidpredetermined number of steps in each and also to change the steps ineach pace after which said control operations are provided.

19. Pace making apparatus including in cornbination, first and secondpulse operated stepby-step devices, means for homing said devices sothat said devices are brought to predetermined positions, and controlmeans including a pair of responsive devices for connecting saidstep-by-step devices to a source of pulses, said control meansconnecting one of said step-bystep devices to the source of pulses foroperation thereof through a predetermined number of steps, saidresponsive devices operating to disconnect each step-by-step device fromthe source of pulses after operation thereof through said predeterminednumber of steps and to connect the other device thereto, said responsivedevices being adapted to operate an external control.

20. Pace making apparatus operating from recurring pulses including incombination, a pair of stepping switches each including a plurality offixed contacts arranged in levels, mechanically interconnected movablecontacts associated with each level and driving means for said movablecontacts, a circuit alternately connecting said driving means to asource of pulses, said circuit including portions individuallyassociated with said switches and rendered operative when the associatedswitch moves a predetermined number of steps to form a pace fordisconnecting the switch which has moved from said source of pulses andconnecting the other switch thereto, so that one of said switchesoperates for a pace including a predetermined number of steps and thenthe other of said switches operates for said pace with said switchescontinuing alternately, said circuit including conductor meansinterconnecting said fixed contacts of certain of said levels of atleast one of said switches for providing control operations through saidmovable contacts of said levels associated therewith after certain stepsin each pace.

21. Pace making apparatus including in combination, first and secondpulse operated stepby-step devices, each of said devices having a givennumber of positions and being adapted to operate through said positionsin turn in response to pulses, means for homing said devices so thatsaid devices are brought to predetermined initial positions, a source ofpulses, and control means for connecting said devices to each other andfor alternately connecting said devices to said source of pulses so thatsaid devices are alternately operated thereby, said control meansincluding ortions selectively connected to said devices for setting thenumber of positions through which each device is operated each time saiddevice is connected to said source of pulses at any predetermined numberless than said given number of positions of said devices, said controlmeans including means energized by said portions after each device hasoperated through said predetermined number of positions to disconnectthe device which has operated from said source of pulses and to connectthe other device thereto, with each of said devices completing eachoperation thereof at any one of said positions and starting the nextoperation thereof from the position where the preceding operation wascompleted.

22. Counting apparatus including in combination, first and secondstepping switches each having at least first and second levels of fixedcontacts, with each level having a given number of fixed contacts, andmovable contacts associated with each level and adapted to engage saidfixed contacts thereof in sequence, first and second relays individuallyassociated with said switches, a source of potential, a circuitincluding said stepping switches and said relays for connecting theassociated stepping switch to a source of operating pulses when eachrelay is actuated, interlocking means including said relays for holdingeach relay actuated until the other relay is actuated, a second circuitincluding conductor means interconnecting corresponding fixed contactsof said first levels of said first and second stepping switches, saidsecond circuit connecting said movable contact of said first level ofsaid first switch to said source of potential and said movable contactof said first level of said second switch to said first relay, saidsecond circuit energizing said first relay when said switches are atcorresponding positions to apply pulses to said first stepping switch,and a third circuit including conductor means interconnecting contactsof said second levels of said first and second switches with thecontacts of said second switch being connected to contacts of said firstswitch which are advanced by a predetermined number, said predeterminednumber being less than said given number of fixed contacts but beingotherwise unrelated thereto, said third circuit including conductorsconnecting said movable contact of said second level of said secondswitch to said source of potential and connecting said movable contactof said second level of said first switch to said second relay, saidthird circuit energizing said second relay when said first switch is ata position advanced with respect to said second switch by saidpredetermined number to apply pulses to said second stepping switch,whereby said switches operate in turn in response to the operatingpulses with each switch moving over said predetermined number ofcontacts on each operation.

JACQUES BERGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent Electronics, March 1947;pages 120, 121, 122, 123.

Predetermined Counter, Blume, article in Electronics, February 1948;pages 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93.

